How to Say Watching a Puppet Show in Korean
Attending a puppet show (인형극) can be a delightful cultural experience in Korea, enjoyable for both children and adults. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for finding information, buying tickets, and discussing your experience of watching a puppet show (인형 극장 관람하기).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 인형 극장 관람하기
Pronunciation: in-hyeong geuk-jang gwan-ram-ha-gi
Meaning: Watching a puppet show (literally: puppet theater viewing-doing)
Basic Phrases for Attending a Puppet Show
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Expression: 인형 극장이 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: in-hyeong geuk-jang-i eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the puppet theater? -
Expression: 오늘 인형극 공연이 있나요?
Pronunciation: o-neul in-hyeong-geuk gong-yeon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a puppet show performance today? -
Expression: 표는 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: pyo-neun eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy tickets? -
Expression: 어른 표 두 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-reun pyo du jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two adult tickets. -
Expression: 어린이 표 한 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-rin-i pyo han jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one child ticket. -
Expression: 표 예매하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: pyo ye-mae-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to reserve tickets. -
Expression: 인터넷으로 예매할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-teo-ne-seu-ro ye-mae-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I book tickets online? -
Expression: 좌석을 선택할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jwa-seo-geul seon-taek-hal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can I choose my seat? -
Expression: 좋은 자리로 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun ja-ri-ro ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me good seats. -
Expression: 인형극 보러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: in-hyeong-geuk bo-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came to watch the puppet show. -
Expression: 입장은 언제부터 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-eun eon-je-bu-teo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: From when can we enter? -
Expression: 팜플렛 있어요?
Pronunciation: pam-peul-let i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a pamphlet/brochure?
Asking About the Show
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Expression: 공연은 몇 시에 시작해요?
Pronunciation: gong-yeon-eun myeot si-e si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: What time does the performance start? -
Expression: 공연 시간은 얼마나 돼요?
Pronunciation: gong-yeon si-gan-eun eol-ma-na dwae-yo?
Meaning: How long is the performance? -
Expression: 어떤 내용의 인형극인가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon nae-yong-ui in-hyeong-geu-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the puppet show about? -
Expression: 이 공연은 몇 살부터 볼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i gong-yeon-eun myeot sal-bu-teo bol su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: From what age can one watch this performance? -
Expression: 아이들이 좋아할 만한 인형극인가요?
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i jo-a-hal man-han in-hyeong-geu-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a puppet show that children would like? -
Expression: 한국 전통 인형극인가요?
Pronunciation: han-guk jeon-tong in-hyeong-geu-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a traditional Korean puppet show? -
Expression: 자막이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ja-ma-gi it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there subtitles? -
Expression: 사진 촬영은 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin chwal-yeong-eun ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is photography allowed? -
Expression: 다음 공연은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum gong-yeon-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the next performance? -
Expression: 할인 혜택이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin hye-taek-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any discount benefits? -
Expression: 어떤 인형들이 나오나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon in-hyeong-deul-i na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of puppets appear (in the show)? -
Expression: 이 극장의 대표적인 인형극은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i geuk-jang-ui dae-pyo-jeo-gin in-hyeong-geu-geun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the representative puppet show of this theater?
During and After the Show
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Expression: 인형극 정말 재미있어요!
Pronunciation: in-hyeong-geuk jeong-mal jae-mi-i-sseo-yo!
Meaning: The puppet show is really fun! -
Expression: 인형들이 정말 귀여워요.
Pronunciation: in-hyeong-deul-i jeong-mal gwi-yeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The puppets are really cute. -
Expression: 이야기가 흥미진진해요.
Pronunciation: i-ya-gi-ga heung-mi-jin-jin-hae-yo.
Meaning: The story is exciting. -
Expression: 아이들이 정말 좋아하네요.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i jeong-mal jo-a-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The children really like it. -
Expression: 배우들의 연기가 훌륭해요.
Pronunciation: bae-u-deul-ui yeon-gi-ga hul-lyung-hae-yo.
Meaning: The puppeteers’ performance is excellent. (Note: ‘배우’ usually means actor, but contextually refers to puppeteers here). -
Expression: 음악도 정말 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: eu-mak-do jeong-mal jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The music was also really good. -
Expression: 기념품 가게는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum ga-ge-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the souvenir shop? -
Expression: 저 인형을 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeo in-hyeong-eul sa-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy that puppet. -
Expression: 정말 감동적이었어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-dong-jeo-gi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was really touching. -
Expression: 다음에 또 오고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto o-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to come again next time. -
Expression: 친구들에게 추천해야겠어요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-e-ge chu-cheon-hae-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I should recommend this to my friends. -
Expression: 인형극 배우들과 사진 찍을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-hyeong-geuk bae-u-deul-gwa sa-jin jji-geul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I take a picture with the puppet show performers?
Korean Culture Notes
Puppet shows (인형극) hold a special place in Korean culture, ranging from traditional forms to modern interpretations. The most famous traditional Korean puppet play is 꼭두각시놀음 (Kkokdugaksi Noreum), which features satirical social commentary and humorous characters. It’s recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Korea.
Modern puppet theaters in Korea often cater to families and children, presenting adaptations of famous fairy tales or original stories with educational themes. These shows frequently incorporate music, dance, and interactive elements, making them highly engaging for young audiences.
When attending a puppet show, general theater etiquette applies. Arrive on time, silence your phone, and keep noise levels down, especially during the performance, to allow everyone to enjoy the show. Applause at the end is appreciated.
Some theaters may offer workshops or meet-and-greet sessions with the puppeteers after the show, providing a chance to learn more about the art form and interact with the performers. Check the theater’s schedule or website for such opportunities.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun (A) and Sora (B) are looking for a weekend activity for Sora’s young nephew.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 이번 주말에 조카랑 뭐 할 거예요?
Pronunciation: A: so-ra ssi, i-beon ju-mal-e jo-ka-rang mwo hal geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Sora, what are you doing with your nephew this weekend? -
Expression: B: 아직 못 정했어요. 재미있는 거 없을까요? 아이가 좋아할 만한 걸로요.
Pronunciation: B: a-jik mot jeong-hae-sseo-yo. jae-mi-in-neun geo eop-seul-kka-yo? a-i-ga jo-a-hal man-han geol-lo-yo.
Meaning: B: I haven’t decided yet. Isn’t there anything fun? Something a child would like. -
Expression: A: 아, 시내에 새로 생긴 인형 극장 어때요? 후기가 좋더라고요.
Pronunciation: A: a, si-nae-e sae-ro saeng-gin in-hyeong geuk-jang eo-ttae-yo? hu-gi-ga jo-teo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, how about the new puppet theater downtown? I heard the reviews are good. -
Expression: B: 인형 극장이요? 좋은 생각인데요! 어떤 공연을 해요?
Pronunciation: B: in-hyeong geuk-jang-i-yo? jo-eun saeng-ga-gin-de-yo! eo-tteon gong-yeon-eul hae-yo?
Meaning: B: A puppet theater? That’s a great idea! What kind of performance are they doing? -
Expression: A: ‘토끼와 거북이’를 현대적으로 각색한 거래요. 아이들이 엄청 좋아한대요.
Pronunciation: A: ‘to-kki-wa geo-bu-gi’-reul hyeon-dae-jeo-geu-ro gak-sae-kan geo-rae-yo. a-i-deul-i eom-cheong jo-a-han-dae-yo.
Meaning: A: They say it’s a modern adaptation of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’. Apparently, kids love it. -
Expression: B: 와, 그거 좋겠네요! 표 예매해야겠어요. 공연 시간은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: B: wa, geu-geo jo-ken-ne-yo! pyo ye-mae-hae-ya-ge-sseo-yo. gong-yeon si-gan-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: B: Wow, that sounds great! I should book tickets. What time is the performance? -
Expression: A: 토요일 오후 2시랑 4시 공연이 있어요.
Pronunciation: A: to-yo-il o-hu du-si-rang ne-si gong-yeon-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: There are shows on Saturday at 2 PM and 4 PM. -
Expression: B: 그럼 2시 표로 어린이 한 장, 어른 한 장 예매할게요. 고마워요, 민준 씨!
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom du-si pyo-ro eo-rin-i han jang, eo-reun han jang ye-mae-hal-ge-yo. go-ma-wo-yo, min-jun ssi!
Meaning: B: Then I’ll book one child ticket and one adult ticket for the 2 PM show. Thanks, Minjun!
Practice Tips
Now that you’ve learned these phrases, try practicing them! You could role-play booking tickets or asking about a show with a friend~ Look up puppet theaters in Korea online (인형 극장 검색!) and see if you can understand their schedules or show descriptions. Watching clips of Korean puppet shows on YouTube can also help you get used to the sounds and maybe even pick up more vocabulary! Have fun exploring the charming world of Korean puppet theater! Fighting!~




